FOR STUDENTS See the Mission Patches classes have made  for their missions at the Challenger Learning Center.

“Best School Field Trip”, “Best Out-of-this-World Adventure” - Colorado Springs Gazette

Are you looking for new adventures? Do you want to be an astronaut? The Challenger Learning Center of Colorado (CLCC) is where the adventure begins! Reach for the stars and be as successful as you can be! Come to the Challenger Learning Center for an out-of-this-world adventure! You’ll have a blast!

Elementary Programs: Hands-On Learning

K-3 learning center opportunities include:
Gemini Adventure (Kindergarten, stations at CLCC facilities): discoveries about day and night, the Sun, the Moon and its phases.
Voyager I (Grade 1, stations at CLCC facilities): exploring planets and calculations that expand understanding of the Solar System.
Voyager II (Grade 2, stations at CLCC facilities): “right stuff” astronaut exercises, the propulsion of flight and math wizardry.
Voyager III (Grade 3, on-site stations): states of matter, carbon dioxide testing, 3-D constellation models, pixels, distant objects.

Grades 3 and up “fly” on-site and distance delivered space adventures, such as:
Moon, Mars and Beyond (Grades 3–5, distance-delivered simulation): A research vessel exploring the outer regions of our solar system may be lost. A rescue ship is being launched from the Lunar Base. Students in Mars Control must determine the amount of cargo required, locate the missing astronauts, and safely return all crews to Mars.

Return to the Moon (Grade 4 and up, in CLCC simulators): The year is 2025. For the first time since the final Apollo mission in 1972, humanity returns to the Moon. The crew has come to establish a permanent lunar base that will be used for making cosmic observations, studying the feasibility of developing a self-sustaining off-planet settlement, and creating a stepping stone for human planetary exploration.

Middle School Missions: Earth and Space Science

In on-site simulators or over broadband Internet from “Mission Control,” three middle school programs are ready for launch, including:

Rendezvous with a Comet (Grade 6 and up, in CLCC simulators): Scientists and engineers take on a daring exploration of comets, plotting a rendezvous course, launching a probe, collecting scientific data and surviving surprises and emergencies.

Operation Montserrat (Grade 6 and up, distance-delivered): Earth science experts use computers, the Internet and satellite imaging to determine how a simultaneous hurricane and volcanic eruption will impact the environment and the safety of the inhabitants of a small Caribbean island.

Voyage to Mars (Grade 8 and up, in CLCC simulators): It’s 2076. The latest human crew arrives on a transport vehicle from Earth and enters Martian orbit. The new crew is specially trained to continue explorations of Mars’ two moons while overcoming emergencies and environmental variables.

High School Missions: To Planets and to the Rescue!

Simulated space missions will tap into your curiosity and spirit of exploration as well as your academic and career interests. And they’ll help develop your critical thinking, listening, leadership, technical and workplace skills while they help you prepare for the future. Two high school mission simulations are available, one in CLCC simulators and one delivered online over broadband from “Mission Control.”

These scenarios are:

Voyage to Mars (Grade 8 and up, in CLCC simulators): In 2076 the latest human crew enters Martian orbit, arriving on a transport vehicle from Earth. The new crew is specially trained to continue explorations of Mars’ two moons while overcoming emergencies and environmental variables.

Space Station Alpha (Grade 9 and up, distance-delivered): Applying the physics, biology and chemistry of solar radiation, students protect the International Space Station from the dangers of a major solar flare eruption. Two elective physics credits are available through University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS).